Tissue Repair Device And Apparatus And Method For Fabricating Same
A method for fabricating a device for repairing torn tissue or muscle such as the meniscus of the knee. The device includes a pair of anchoring members having a plurality of barb-like projections extending outwardly therefrom. The anchoring members are joined by a flexible linking member which connects the ends of the anchoring members opposite one another. Such a device can be fabricated by insert molding of the appropriate members together.
1 - 9 . (canceled)
10 . A repair device for repairing a torn meniscus in a knee joint, comprising:
a pair of needles
a pair of anchoring members, each of the pair of anchoring member being secured to one of the pair of needles;
a flexible material interconnecting the pair of anchoring members;
a retaining flange on each of the pair of anchoring members.
11 . The repair device according to claim 10 , wherein the needles are secured to the anchoring members by a detachable joint.
12 . The repair device according to claim 10 , wherein each of the pair of anchoring members has a plurality of barbs.
13 . The repair device according to claim 12 , wherein the barbs are oriented to allow the anchoring members to pass through tissue in a first forward direction, but grip tissue in a second reverse direction.
14 . The repair device according to claim 10 , wherein each of the pair of needles are curved.
15 . The repair device according to claim 10 , wherein the flexible material includes filaments.
16 . The repair device according to claim 10 , wherein the flexible material includes a polymeric material.
17 . The repair device according to claim 16 , wherein the flexible material includes a bio-absorbable polymer.
18 . The repair device according to claim 10 , wherein the needles are formed from a metallic material.
19 . The repair device according to claim 10 , wherein the needles and anchoring members are fused to one another.
20 . The repair device according to claim 10 , wherein the retaining flanges are separate members that are slipped over the needles onto the anchoring members.